Sora and the MoM

[inverse K-blade7]

Look, no question Riku earned the Master title more than Sora did. But there was never any rule that only one of them could pass the exam. In the beginning, it seemed pretty clear that Yen Sid plannedto pass both of them, and he even said at the end that they both deserved to be Masters.

Its hardly Sora's fault that he was specifically targetted by an incredibly complex time travelling plan by the xehanorts that NO ONE was able to predict, and if the situations were reversed, Sora would have done what he had to to save Riku in a heartbeat (see what I did there?) So why did Yen Sid fail Sora. Was it just to add some extra drama, make Riku's success feel a bit more special?

 

[Chaser]

Please remember to keep spoilers out of thread titles. Thank you.

 

[Chuman]

Would you willingly give great power to someone you knew could possibly become Xehanort? When the time comes, Sora will almost assuredly become Xehanort, and when he does, the odds will be further stacked against the Heroes protecting the Light.

 

[Oracle Spockanort]

Would you willingly give great power to someone you knew could possibly become Xehanort? When the time comes, Sora will almost assuredly become Xehanort, and when he does, the odds will be further stacked against the Heroes protecting the Light.

Sora will not be becoming Xehanort. Xehanort will definitely try again, and probably get close to succeeding but Sora isn't going to fall for the same thing twice. Considering we have Ven protecting Sora's Heart just as Sora has done for Ven, and all of the hearts connected to Sora serving as his strength, he's pretty safe.

 

[iLeen]

But Sora possibly becoming a Xehanort is an interesting thought. Internal fight against Xehanort (and possible Vanitas) alongside Ven, Roxas and/or (maybe) Xion anyone?

 

[Oracle Spockanort]

But Sora possibly becoming a Xehanort is an interesting thought. Internal fight against Xehanort (and possible Vanitas) alongside Ven, Roxas and/or (maybe) Xion anyone?

That was what I was thinking when I said "Xehanort will get close" xD

 

[inverse K-blade7]

Look at all the stuff Xehanort went through to almost get Sora the first time. Even if he has another plan like that up his sleeve, I find it hard to believe that Sora won't be able to get out of it this time.

 

[Decrith]

The scene totally reminded me of Aqua and Terra's MoM. But yea, I was thinking that Yen Sid had some sort of philosophy about keyblade masters which led him not to give Sora the title.. something like "A true keyblade master, must be able to face all trials set in his path, planned or not." or something like that.

Plus remember in BBS MoM, Eraqus told Terra that he failed the test because he wasn't able to keep the darkness in check. And if you look at Sora's situation, he was pretty much consumed by it.

 

[Oracle Spockanort]

The scene totally reminded me of Aqua and Terra's MoM.

It was meant to be a parallel to Terra and Aqua's MoM, but instead of it being all doom and gloom with Terra being depressed and Aqua not even getting a chance to be proud she earned the title of Master, Sora was happy for Riku and completely fine with not being a Master.

But yea, I was thinking that Yen Sid had some sort of philosophy about keyblade masters which led him not to give Sora the title.. something like "A true keyblade master, must be able to face all trials set in his path, planned or not." or something like that.

I don't think Yen Sid would be so strict. Mickey felt like he was a failure at stopping MX and helping TAV, but Yen Sid let Mickey keep the Star Seeker and become a Master. And Yen Sid knew the circumstances that surrounded Sora were unique and completely unexpected. He even admits he failed to see the danger. Riku went above and beyond what he needed to do, so it only made sense to name him Master in light of everything.

Plus remember in BBS MoM, Eraqus told Terra that he failed the test because he wasn't able to keep the darkness in check. And if you look at Sora's situation, he was pretty much consumed by it.

Well, Eraqus was going to pass Terra even with his darkness problem. It was only when Master Xehanort insisted that it was a detriment that Eraqus changed his mind. Also, Sora's circumstances were different. Terra began to actively chase after the darkness and use it while being manipulated, and which left his Heart open for MX to take over. Sora wasn't trying to use the darkness, or even chase after it. The moment the true Org was able to trick Sora into dreaming while dreaming, they trapped him in the darkness of his heart.

 

[ajmrowland]

Please remember to keep spoilers out of thread titles. Thank you.

this is the spoilers section and it wasnt in the thread title.

 

[Heart Of Nothing]

What I think is funny is that the requirements to pass were to unlock the 7 sleeping keyholes, which they both did. But no. Sora failed.

 

[Oracle Spockanort]

this is the spoilers section and it wasnt in the thread title.

He moved the thread and changed the title obviously.

What I think is funny is that the requirements to pass were to unlock the 7 sleeping keyholes, which they both did. But no. Sora failed.

Because Riku went and over-excelled by saving Sora. xD

 

[inverse K-blade7]

this is the spoilers section and it wasnt in the thread title.

It was before the title got changed. And people can still read thread titles of this section from the future section.

It just bugs me how Yen Sid says that Sora says that Sora definitely deserves to be a Master...and then doesn't make him one, supposedly because Riku did better than him. Not that Sora cared at all, lol.

 

[Hillboy]

Because Riku went and over-excelled by saving Sora. xD

Yeah, but honestly that is kinda stupid. Imagine you and a friend take a test, both get a hundred, but the teacher only passes your friend since they studied the night before

 

[Key Wielder]

It may have had to do with more than just whether or not they actually did what they needed to do. Or, to go with Hillboy's analogy, who had the essay of better quality rather than who just answered the question. Riku had a lot of growth, moving from doubting his ability to wield a Keyblade at the beginning to all of the things he did on his way through the exam. He offered advice, grew as a person, and ended by sacrificing his own safety to bring Sora back. Sora, on the other hand, began a bit conceited and overconfident, and he ended up being tricked and nearly disappearing forever.

Whether they did what they were supposed to or not, Yen Sid may have made his decision based on the growth that each one demonstrated as they went through the Sleeping Worlds, in which case Sora fell a bit short, as unfortunate and unavoidable as it was for him.

 

[inverse K-blade7]

It may have had to do with more than just whether or not they actually did what they needed to do. Or, to go with Hillboy's analogy, who had the essay of better quality rather than who just answered the question. Riku had a lot of growth, moving from doubting his ability to wield a Keyblade at the beginning to all of the things he did on his way through the exam. He offered advice, grew as a person, and ended by sacrificing his own safety to bring Sora back. Sora, on the other hand, began a bit conceited and overconfident, and he ended up being tricked and nearly disappearing forever.

Whether they did what they were supposed to or not, Yen Sid may have made his decision based on the growth that each one demonstrated as they went through the Sleeping Worlds, in which case Sora fell a bit short, as unfortunate and unavoidable as it was for him.

When would he have been able to judge whether or not Sora grew? All Yen Sid actually sees of Sora before his decision is a tea party, which, while immature, doesn't show any overconfidence or lack of it.
And again, the test was to unlock the seven sleeping keyholes and come back. Sora may have failed to do the second part, but he handled the first part like a pro, and Yen Sid didn't seem to blame Sora at all for the extreme circumstances that stopped him from returning safely. It would have been really unfair if he did.

 

[Key Wielder]

By the time they returned to the Mysterious Tower, any growth would have been obvious even if Yen Sid couldn't see the process. Riku's growth was simply more visible by the end, so even while Yen Sid wasn't able to see their actions throughout the time that they were in the realm of sleep, he could see the change that had come over him. That may or may not have been a factor in his decision, but perhaps he just didn't think Sora had grown enough as a person to be ready to be a master yet. There's no blame involved and Yen Sid is well aware of the fact that it wasn't his fault--Sora was caught in a trap and therefore unable to demonstrate that kind of growth. It may not seem fair, but it might be the difference between a Keyblade wielder and a Keyblade Master to Yen Sid.

 

[Sephiroth0812]

I really don't know why there is such a fuss made about it by the fans. You make it as if it would be such a big issue when it is unimportant (to Sora at least).

Sora himself made it pretty clear in the very beginning that he doesn't care if he is named a master or not. Only when Riku requested to be tested due to his insecurities Sora jumped on the bandwagon by saying "count me in".
Sora doesn't need to be a master in order to save those connected to his heart, he also unlocked seven Keyholes of Sleep and therefore has the power to awaken lost and sleeping hearts just like Riku does as well.
Riku is right now holding onto Ansem's data which contains the details, once Sora can combine the knowledge from Ansem's data with the powers he gained they can start rescuing people and giving them their "Birth by Sleep" as said by Ansem in Blank Points.
For Master Xehanort he will tackle him together with the others like he always does in the big Finales.

Also, the reason Sora "failed" in the end is because he simply didn't complete the whole task that was set.

The task had three main points:
1. Go into the sleeping realm and open seven sleeping Keyholes.
2. Gain the power to awaken sleeping hearts.
3. Return safely to Mysterious Tower.

Sora accomplished the first two tasks but failed the third, resulting in the whole task not fulfilled.
Terra also succeeded in the first part of his exam but failed in the second.
You apparently only pass if you fulfill all parts of the tasks given.