John stood on one end of the platform that wakes up his station of Awakening. The other person, Drexel, was on the other end. John processed what Drexel just told him. “Your...reincarnation?”

Drexel nodded. “Like the Foretellers. You are the reincarnation of a keyblader from the keyblade war. I am Drexel Quake. A member of the Unicornis Union. I was around during the war. I won't tell you what happened. That can come later. For now though you must complete your exam. I'm the last obstacle, but I have three things you must do. First.” Drexel than snapped his fingers. Four Heartless appeared in front of him. They looked like Invisibles, but had a different colors on their horns and swords.

“What kind of Invisibles are those?” John asked.

Drexel smiled. “There are a class of heartless beyond the strength of regular heartless. These are Omega Heartless. Orges to be precise. They are at least five times more powerful than the average Invisible. Your first test is to defeat the Omega Heartless I summon. Defeat them all and we'll processed to the next part, but first.” Drex than snapped his fingers again and John felt Fenrir disappear. He saw it in Drexel's hand and was confused on that.

“Sorry, but Fenrir was my partner before he was yours. Don't worry I got you covered.” He snapped again and a new keyblade appeared in John's hand. “That is Starlight. A beginner keyblade from the Unions. It's basically a sheath for your true keyblade.” Drexel explained. John figured he now had to pass this without Fenrir. Which is a weird feeling since Fenrir was basically his only keyblade.

“Now than..” Drex raised his hand up before bringing it down to start the test. “Begin!”

John jumped back in time to avoid blast of darkness that each Orge unleashed in an instant. “Nature's Favor!” He powered himself up and charged at them. John used Firaga and Blizzaga to knock back two of them while sliding on his knees and bending backwards to avoid a sword swipe that would have cut his head off. He then used Blitz and Areoga on the fourth to send it flying.

John then turned around and blocked a strike from the first Orge, but the third one used its swords extended chains sword strike to cut deep into his side. Slicing through his defense like it wasn't there. He gritted his teeth before moving again. He jumped as high as he could and used his Flame Salvo and Thunderstorm to pummel the second Orge back weakening it.

As he got prepared to finish it the fourth one suddenly came out of nowhere and grabbed him by his neck before throwing him into the air. Before he could recover the first and third Orges pelted him with dark blast and to finish the combo the second and fourth slammed the pommel of their swords on his gut sending him crashing to the floor.

John gets up coughing some blood. ‘These things are strong. So this is what Omega Heartless are like.’ He had to do something or he could lose or even die.

He examined them closely. Each looked almost exactly like an Invisible, but the horns, sword, tail ends, and wings were blood red. They are much stronger and faster than regular ones. He noted their condition too. The Second one was in the worst condition so it shouldn't take much to finish it. The first and third ones were average and the fourth was in better condition but not full health. He got ready to finish this.

The fourth one used the chain sword shot which made John quickly move his head or get decapitated. He blocked a swing from the third one and kicked away a blast of darkness from the second one. He then kicked the third Orge’s wrist making it drop its sword before quickly roundhouse kicking the hilt of the sword making the blade stab into the third Orge's chest. He finished it with a swipe of Starlight removing its head.

As the Ogre disappeared John jumped back to avoid two chain sword strikes from the first and fourth ones. He used Thundarga to both damage and stun them. He quickly charged at the second Orge with a Sonic Strike combo hitting it six times before using Strike Raid on it. The Strike Raid finished it off. Leaving only the First and Fourth Orges left.

He decided to use a command style...while mentally smashing his head in with a 2x4 made of adamantium for not using them before. He focused on Starlight and used the command style Blade Charge. A purple blade of light surrounded Starlight and extended. The Ogres got ready for the fight. They were still for a few seconds before charging at each other. John swung his keyblade parrying both and quickly attacks the first one. The sword of light didn't add any weight so it didn't slow him down. He just has to adapt to the longer reach. He knocks the sword out of Ogre and swipes at it a few times. It was still for a few seconds before lines appeared on it and it fell apart disappearing as it did.

John then blocked a chain sword strike that sent him back about a dozen feet. John undid Blade charge and used Firaga on the ground in front of it. After it exploded he charged into the smoke sliding on his legs when he got in. As he slid the Ogre swiped its sword but since John was sliding it missed him. He got up behind it as it was recovering from the attack and stabbed its head with starlight killing it.

After it disappeared John took a knee trying to regain some stamina when Drexel spoke up. “That's one wave. Time for the next.” The glee in his voice made John wish he could slug him at the moment. Next thing he knew two huge shadows appear. They looked like Guard Armors but had a more golden color scheme. He didn't have time to think more because he had to dodge one of their fist from flattening him.

He jumped back dodging it before using Firaga on its hand. He then used Curaga to heal most of the damage he took. He had to be careful now. He felt his magic running low so he has to use it sparingly. He decided to finish it fast and used another Command Style. Critical Impact. His striking power increases from the style. He baits one of them into trying to smash him with its fist dodging at the last moment before jumping on it. He then used a Shotlock Ragnarok. The blast both greatly damaged and stunned it. It stumbled back before he jumped up and slammed his keyblade into its head before stabbing it. While Starlight was in its head John used Firaga causing its head to explode.

John turned towards the final one as it stood there. He deactivated Critical Impact and activated another one. Ghost Drive. His speed increases greatly while leaving after images in its wake. He blitz around it leaving over a dozen afterimages around it confusing it. He used a speed based attack to quickly finish it. Blazing Strike. He attacked randomly around leaving deep cuts a dozen times. Combined with the speed of Ghost Drive it all happened in less than a fraction of a second. The Guard Armor fell over and dissipated.

He used Cura to restore some stamina before getting ready for the next wave.

“Nice job. Although I probably should have saved the Ogres for later? Just because these were bigger didn't make them more dangerous than the Ogres. I was going to summon some Darkside Omegas, but this wave proved that wouldn't work. So let's get right to the final part. An Alpha Heartless.” With that Drexel snapped his fingers. A single heartless appeared. It was smaller than the Invisible, but from what his gut was telling him it was stronger. It had on a hood with big red claws for hands and two small wings on its back. It had the Heartless symbol on its chest. “ A Darkling. A heartless that was once a keyblade user that was swallowed by darkness.”

John just looked at it as it looked at him with a crazed smile. It suddenly appeared before him uppercutting him into the air then appearing above kicking him downward. It appears again quickly near the ground about to attack again, but John was able to block it before slamming his knee into its face. He then used Firaga up close causing the blast to send him back as well as damaging it. He put Starlight up to block which was a smart move as it blocked the Darkling’s claws. He kicked it in the gut sending it back a few feet before using the Photon Bomb shotlock causing multiple explosions injuring it more. When the smoke cleared it looked damaged but was still wearying to go.

John closed his eyes and focused. He needed to end this now. So he decided to try something risky. Combining two command styles. He decided to combine Ghost Drive and Sky Climber. He focused for a second. Feeling both styles trying to mix. He felt them fighting each other inside his body injuring him, but he was able to stabilize them for at least a few minutes. He disappeared from the Darkling's view before it was kicked in its jaw into the air. It used its wings to stabilize itself and tried to find John. Only to see dozens of afterimages of him around it before it was struck multiple times from all angles. It tried attacking but it only kept hitting afterimages. John then called out his final attack. “Extreme Zantetsuken.” A dozen afterimages suddenly attacked at once each appearing on the opposite side of were they appeared. It was dead before it could even fall apart and dissipated.

John deactivated the styles and fell onto his back. He was in pain and was exhausted. He was hoping that this exam was over already, but something tells him that this isn't over.

Before he could think of something a warm light washes over him. He feels his strength, stamina, and magic restore. His wounds are also healed. He sits up and looks at Drexel. Who was the cause of this. “I'm impressed. For someone of your lvl to do that was impressive. I'll give you a few minutes of rest before I do the final part of this test.” Drexel than sat in a meditation form leaving John to his thoughts.

‘Ok. One more test to go and I'm done. If what's happened so far is anything to go by. Then the last one is going to be the hardest.’ He looked over himself to see if he is still injured anywhere. He doesn't see any injuries. Although he see a paldron on his left shoulder. He stares at it for a few seconds before remembering. ‘......I have Keyblade Armor…’ He wished he had a boulder or something to cave his skull in for the major stupidity of forgetting that. He got up and used Cura to finish healing before looking at Drexel.

“You've done well so far. I've been watching you ever since you were given your Void Mark. Your not perfect. Far from it, but you always made decisions based off both your morals and conscience. You done very well during your Exam as well. Against the Heartless, and your Rage. Now. It's time for you final test.” He held out his right hand and Fenrir appeared. “You must now fight me.”

John nodded before activating his keyblade armor. The Crowns armor. He noted the left arm still appeared, and when he tried to move his left arm the armor moved. ‘Well. Looks like my armor lets me use two arms whether I have two arms or not.’ “Nature’s Favor!” He felt the enhancement settle and got ready.

John and Drexel charged each other. They clashed their keyblades for a minute before breaking apart. “I was once a member of the Unions from before the war, and have gotten training from all five. First style from the Leopardis Union. Speed.” Drexel then disappears in a burst of speed kicking John back a dozen feet. John recovered from the attack and used Speedga to increase his speed. Both enhancements that increased his speed allowed him to follow Drexel and fight back. After countering Drexel with an elbow to the face he jumped back grinning.

“Not bad. Lesson two is from the Ursa Union. Power.” John charged at him trying to end it when Drexel caught his wrist and with one swipe sent him back over a few dozen feet. John got up with multiple cracks in his armor. He then used strengthga to catch up. When they clashed again a shockwave formed that left cracks in the ground. They continued this till Drexel dodged one of his attacks and kicks him a dozen feet back.

“Next is Vulpes. Magic.” He switched Fenrir with another keyblade. Counterpoint he thinks. He then launched a Volley of spells from fire, lighting, and ice. John countered as best as he could. He used Reflectga to sent a huge Firaga back at Drexel who just dissipated it a single swing.

“Anguis Union. Stealth” Drexel then used a spell called Smoke that left a smokescreen around them. John looked around for him when he turned to block his midsection only for Drexel to smash his helmet to bits and send him flying. John got up and closed his eyes. He listened, tried to sense him, and listen to his gut. He then blocked a strike from the side while kicking him out of the smoke.

Drexel got up smiling even more. “Well done. Now then the Unicornis Union. The Union I was apart of. Balance.” Drexel seemed to glow as he charged faster then at the beginning. John used Ghost Drive to keep up and used to afterimages to try and confuse him. Which didn't work.

They clashed like that for a minute before Drexel stopped and disappeared. John looked to his left and his right before he heard a clap from behind him. “Great Job. You held your own. Even if I was majorly holding back.” When he said that it shocked him. He wasn't using his full strength? Was he that beneath hi? “Well from what I gather I say you pa-”

“DON'T SCREW WITH ME!!”

Drexel paused at the interruption. He saw a look of determination and anger as well. “ This isn't over yet. Use everything. If I can't fight you I wouldn't be able to surpass you and protect those I care about. So show me everything!” John yelled.

Drexel had a shadow cover half his face hiding his expression. He didn't move a muscle. Suddenly Counterpoint appears in his left hand taking John by surprise. ‘He can dual wield?’

“You want my full power?” Drexel question. Half his hair turned white as light started pouring off Drexel in waves. He then stanced up with both keyblades in the Valor form. “Force me.”

John suddenly found himself soaring through the air in pain. Drexel than kicked him back to the ground. He saw his armor was destroyed from those two attacks. He looked up and saw Drexel with one white wing on his right side. He felt his power, and it was huge.

‘I'll need to push myself further than ever if I want a chance to win.’ With that in mind he got up and prepared. “ First Style. Critical Impact!.” He felt the command style boost his striking power as he prepared the next. “Second Style. Ghost Drive!” He felt the pressure from both drives as he felt his power and speed increase eachother.

Drexel looked unimpressed. “Combining those two won't be enough to face me.” He stated to John. John just chuckled. “ I know that. Who said I was done!? Third Style. Spell Weaver!” He felt the pressure increase dramatically on his body as he used the command style that increased his magic. All three worked together to not only destroy his body, but increase his abilities. “And fi-finally. Fourth Style! Sky Climber!” The fourth one activated. He felt like his body was being torn to bits. Drexel's eyes widen at the display. “Are you willing the kill yourself just to win?”

John looked at him. “No. I'm willing to die to protect everyone I care about. I don't care what this does to me. I won't lose to you!” John suddenly disappeared with Drexel having to quickly block a strike to his right only for six afterimages to hit him simultaneously. “Sonic Strike Frenzy!” Twenty afterimages suddenly started attacking Drexel with Sonic Strike six times each for a total of 120 strikes sending him back a couple dozen yards before he recovered and sent a barrage of light blast that hit each one dispersing them. He looked around for John before tilting his body backwards to avoid a Zantetsuken from ten afterimages around him before kicking upwards at the real John sending him up. Drex chased him but John disappears. He looks around to see twenty afterimages zooming around him trying to confuse him.

Drexel wasn't deterred. He began to parry, dodge and counter strikes, magic, and other moves John tried on him. He then grabbed John's arm and kicked him down to the ground. ‘John’ than dispersed making Drex realize that was an afterimage. He felt a power behind and turned to see ten afternoon and John using a shot lock on him. “Light Cannon.” All of them blasted Drexel with it sending him flying. The blast collided with the ground causing a huge explosion.

John waited for the blast to subside while staying on guard. When the smoke clears he sees Drexel standing in the middle. Hair completely white with two wings now. He pointed Counterpoint at him and said one word. “Bang.”

John felt pain in his right shoulder. He looks to see a hole in it. Before he could even react he was punted up into the air before he was smacked around over a dozen times. He couldn't tell if he was knocked left, right, up, down, or even backwards. He felt Drexel grab his neck looking into his eyes. “Just to be clear…” He leaned forward to whisper into his ear. ..I'm not even at a fraction of my power.” He suddenly kicked John downwards before liftoff Fenrir up into the air and forming a blast of fire that looked like a miniature sun. He sent the blast at John and watched as it consumed him.

Drexel looked at the crater where John was. He knew he was still alive because they were still in his subconscious. He was impressed that John lasted this long. So he's going to pass him just for being able to force him to this level of power. He was about to power down when the ground where John was started shaking. The ground burst open showing John barely standing. He was panting hard and looked like he was about to fall. If it wasn't for the look he had. John had a look of sheer determination to win. To not fall. John shakenly started to speak. “I-I won't...le-let you wi-win!”

Drexel looked at him. “And how are you going to beat me? You look like your close to death already?” Drexel stated.

John didn't answer at first. When Drexel was about to speak again John powered up his styles again. “I don't care if you're not at a fraction of your strength! If I pull off eight styles I at least stand a chance! I have to beat you! If I don't the. I won't be able to protect anyone when it matters!! Fifth Style. FireStorm! Sixth Style! Thunderbolt! Seventh Style! Diamond Dust! Eighth Style! Blade Charge!” Drexel felt his power skyrocketing. He can't imagine the damage all eight of those is doing. He saw Starlight extend a blade of light from Blade Charge as its surrounded by fire, ice, and lightning. All eight increasing everything at great cost. John then disappeared and he felt ten simultaneously afterimages send him flying. He saw over thirty afterimages of John charging up for another attack. “Ultima Omni-Slash!!” All of them seemed to have hit him over a dozen times doing the combo, but for every one hit...he actually felt over thirty. The final one slamming into him sending him flying into the ground causing a massive crater.

John stood a few dozen feet from the crater...before he fell to his knees coughing up blood. His entire body felt like it was dying. His arms, torso, and legs had tears in them that were bleeding heavily from the pressure of his styles. “At least it's over.” John said as he fell on his front.

“Is it now?”

Before his eyes could even open up wide he was kicked into the air hard. As he was sailing he was grabbed by what felt like a huge hand. He opened his eyes to only widen them. Drexel was flying in front of him barely injured with a massive dragon made of light behind him holding him in one of its claws. “I'm impressed. I felt that.” Drex said. John was then let go only to find himself in a crater on the ground in more pain. He felt like he was hit by a mountain. He saw the dragon’s arm twitch before he felt the crater deepen with him in more pain. ‘It can swing its limbs at light speed! I-I can't follow it as I am now.’

Drexel had the dragon attack a few more times before he decided to end it. He held out his hand and formed a small ball of light. He let it fall down to John where it exploded in an explosion much bigger than his last one.

When the blast cleared he couldn't see John. “Well if you have to say anything about him it's that he is tough. Still alive after that. He definitely passes on toughness alone I think. Well better find him.” Drexel dropped to ground level to look for him. He felt the ground shake again as it exploded in front of him. He saw John slowly get up. He head down making it impossible to see his expression. He took a step forward when he felt it. Heat. There was a strange heat coming off of John. John disappears and appeared behind him. Drexel couldn't even see it. He cheek felt wet and when he checked it was bleeding. “What's?! How did you?” He asked as he turned to face him.

John had a strange glow to him. His spiked a little. His eyes turned silver. He looked..relaxed? John wasn't tensed at all. A closer look shows that he actually looked unconsciousness even. John raised Starlight and said in a strange voice. “Nature’s Gift” The spell activates healing him and increasing his power. Drexel let loose more power and prepared.

When John moved it looked unreal. Drexel could still follow and match. Even surpass it, but for such a sudden increase bogged him. What was this? They clashed for a minute and he noted that when John defends it is without hesitation and insanely fast that he could barely follow, but his attack isn't as fast. Drexel then attacked with his light dragon sending multiple punches that were faster than light at John, only for him to effortlessly dodge most of them. He landed a hit when he had to defend against multiple blast of light at the same time allowing one punch to get in. John landed on the ground after the attack recovering quickly. Drexel looked at him and spoke. “I don't know what you did to gain such an increase in speed, but it won't be enough to beat me!”

John just lifts starlight and it glows. Drexel recognized it as a style activation. Before he could interfere he is suddenly attacked by five John's, but each hit felt like thirty. ‘He activated both Ghost Drive and Critical Impact!?’ He was sent flying. Drexel recovered after a little bit of rolling and chuckled. “Hehe of its a fight you want?” He then surrounded himself in light as he powers up. “It's a fight you'll get!”

They both clashed. Sending shockwaves from their blows at each hit. Drexel felt each hit he took, and he was getting excited. It's been so long since he could all out and he was loving it. He couldn't land a hit on John though. He was blocking, dodging, and parrying everything he sent at him. This continues for the next minute which felt like hours. He saw John twitch and suddenly get more aggressive in his attacks. He was getting hit more but it felt like they were getting weaker. Whatever must be powering him must be running out. Drexel flew back and had. His dragon prepare a massive blast of light in its hands. John started focusing all of his power into Starlight at its tip. This was the final move. John charged at him while Drexel's dragon was still charging. Drex sent multiple light blast trying to stop him but he was effortless dodging them and still charging his keyblade.

The dragon final charged up enough and sent the huge blast of light John. It looked like it would hit till John took Starlight and used it to surf the beam. Drexel's eyes widen at that as John got closer. When he was close enough he got off the blast and send a beam of light from the tip of the keyblade. It was the light used to lock/unlock both keyholes to worlds and open up doors to light. It hit him through his chest and sent him back a dozen feet. Drexel was lying on the ground. John looked at him while the glow disappears. John than falls down unconsciousness for real this time.

After a few seconds Drexel gets up. A hole in his chest. This test was to see how he hands against an opponent superior to him in every way and he passed, but he didn't expect John to do as well as he did. He decided he deserves a gift. Drexel placed his hand on John head and not only heals him, but places knowledge of spells and moves that John can use. Not everything though since some are moves that only he could perform for special reasons. John disappears from his mind. Meaning he was about to wake up. Next time John sleeps he will meet the old demon in here to learn of what's to come. For now though. “May Your heart be your guiding Key. Keyblade Master John Corvo.”

Author's Notes:

Yo. Sorry it took so long. I started this not long after the last chapter, but I had trouble writing the fights. Please ignore the grammar errors please XD
Later. Deathwatch out.
Question. Who can name the members of John's group that was mentioned last chapter?